May 1, 2008

Clostridium difficile Infection: Managing Severe Disease in an Era of Change

In recent years, the rates and severity of Clostridium difficile infection have been increasing. This trend may be the result of changes in the epidemiology of C. difficile, which may arise from changes in antimicrobial use, other drug prescribing practices, or infection control practices. The increasing rates of C. difficile infection may also be the result of a new strain of C. difficile, one that appears to produce greater quantities of toxins A and B, is more resistant to fluoroquinolones, and is associated with higher rates of morbidity and mortality. In response to the changing epidemiology, guidelines for management are being updated for the first time since 1995 by The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) in collaboration with the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA). Healthcare professionals should be aware of the changing epidemiology of this increasingly virulent pathogen and apply evidence-based principles for the diagnoiss and treatment of C. difficile infection.

It is crucial that healthcare professionals understand the changing epidemiology of this increasingly virulent pathogen, are are able to apply evidence-based practices for the diagnosis, treatment, and control of C. difficile infection.

To address the need for current education on C. difficile infection, Robert Michael Educational Institute LLC (RMEI) and Postgraduate Institute for Medicine (PIM) are jointly sponsoring a series of complimentary educational lectures in institutions throughout the United States.

The course director for this continuing education opportunity is internationally recognized expert in gastrointestinal diseases, Dr. Ciarán P. Kelly, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, and Medical Director of the Celiac Center, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. All lectures will be presented by experts in C. difficile management and treatment. Continuing education credit will be offered for physicians, pharmacists and registered nurses.

Healthcare professionals can schedule a lecture at their institution by contactnig RMEI:

Online: www.RMEI.com/CDILectures
Email: CDILectures@RMEI.com
(Please include "Schedule a Meeting" in the subject field)
Toll-free Phone: (866) 992-9940

This free continuing education opportunity is jointly sponsored by Robert Michael Educational Institute LLC and Postgraduate Institute for Medicine and is supported by an educational grant from ViroPharma Incorporated.

Robert Michael Educational Institute LLC is a full-service medical education company dedicated to providing comprehensive medical education to healthcare providers, patients, and caregivers. Our mission is to design programs that improve diagnosis and treatment through a variety of educational programming such as national and international symposia, teleconferences, live meetings, enduring print materials, and interactive Internet programs. For more information about Robert Michael Educational Institute LLC, visit www.RMEI.com.